Sun Chemical history

In 1945 the company was renamed the Sun Chemical Corp., reflecting its broadened range of interests.

A management committee was established in 1953 to administer corporate policy.

During 1954 Sun consolidated its products and selling organizations into three groups: chemicals (principally waxes); graphic arts; and structural waterproofing, paints, and products finishing.

In 1960 Sun Chemical established a corporate research program.

In 1963 it introduced its Permafresh 183 glyoxal-based resin for the Koratron permanent-press process and carbonate-type resins for white goods.

By 1966 it had added joint ventures in Italy, Spain, and Japan to its international interests.

At the end of 1972 Sun acquired Standard Kollsman Industries Inc., a manufacturer of automotive parts, optical and aviation instruments, and electronic components, in a transaction valued at about $10.3 million in common stock.

Sun Chemical purchased a 5.2-percent interest in Chromalloy in February 1979, increasing its share to 18 percent before the end of the year.

By 1980 Sun had become the world's leading producer of printer's inks.

Alexander sought to make the company the largest domestic pigment producer by 1983.

After initial resistance, Atlantic Research in December 1987 accepted a sweetened offer of $31 a share&mdashout 2.7 times book value and totaling about $307 million.

In 1990 Sequa's net sales reached a peak of almost $2 billion, but thereafter military cutbacks resulting from the end of the Cold War devastated the company's balance sheet.

In August 1991 Sequa announced it was discontinuing six business units that had combined sales of $145 million during the first six months of the year.

At the end of 1992 Alexander owned 35.8 percent of Sequa's stock and controlled 49.1 percent of its voting power.